Anyone here diagnosed with Aspergers or High Functioning Autism?

Question

What has life been like for you?

Our son who is 4 has Aspergers. I'm wondering what the future might have in store for him and is there anything parents can do to help make life better for their child.

Answer 1

My brother (we're both 18) was diagnosed with AS a few years ago. The syndrom impairs/inhibits executive function, so your son will have a lot of trouble connecting his actions with consequences, regarless of whether he is aware of what they will be. It's a mental block that takes much time and patience to work around, and trust me, can be very infuriating. He will also need help constructing and carrying out plans and taking action toward his goals. Most likely, he will have a mild to moderate case of Avoidant or Anti-social Personality Disorder, and will have difficulty relating to other people's emotions. Empathy is very difficult for AS patients.

I'll recommend now that all his teachers are made aware of his diagnosis, so that extra steps can be taken to make sure he is not simply treated as a student with a bad attitude, mental retardation, or a behavioral disorder.

I can't come up with much more advice at the moment, and I can't say I know the intimate details of my brother's condition or life. AS is a very high functioning disorder, though your son may become very frustrated with his seeming lack of social grace once he reaches adolescence. I encourage having him see a therapist who can teach him from early on how to deal with the exectuive function problems and perhaps how to interact with others more "acceptibly".

Answer 2

I was monitored a lot as a child and was diagnosed as "indeterminate or possible Aspergers syndrome". I didn't know anything about this until my 18th birthday and my parents acted like I was normal (which I guess I was) and I turned out alright. I have to say, the only thing is communicating ideas to people is sometimes difficult, but I am in my third year of college and doing well.

Answer 3

I am 14 years old and I have Aspergers Syndrome, I was diagnosed at age 9.   On some things, like talking to other kids and stuff is hard for me.  I don't have very many friends, but I don't mind all that much.  From my experiences you should probably check out the school before he starts school, and make sure that they have a good special ed. program for kids with Aspergers or High functioning Autism.  I do martial arts, it has helped me with motor skill type things and making friends, I also enjoy it because in other sports like team sports you have to try to work with other people, with this you can work at your own pace and just concentrate on improving your own self.  He might enjoy that.  Also, many kid with aspergers are very smart and have many strengths in that area.

                                   Hope this helps!

Answer 4

I am not-but work with kids who are-one is in kindergarten without any special education services-the other will be starting mainstream 1st grade with only related services (speech, OT0 next year

Bill Gates has aspergers-he's doing fine

Answer 5

There is LOTS you can do.  Our son is high functioning Asbergers.  He is now 11.  We found the most help with a Physical Therapist.  There are many therapeutic ways for a child in the Autistic Spectrum to help them focus.  Weighted blankets/shawls; heated & weighted shawl; weighted vest; Air Walkers; swings, slings . . . etc.  Spinning.  Vestibular & proprioception (spelling?) both need addressed in this type of child.  We found it helpful for our son to be able to jump.  His therapist calls it 'crashing'.  We got him a trampoline.  We also invested in an air walker - a type of body sling that gently but firmly holds & supports the body.  While in the sling, we can gently swing him, or spin him, both of which are helpful in supporting him in gathering his thoughts & being able to focus to do school work.  School has been the biggest challenge for us & him, since he was an infant.  It helps to give him work spaces that are free from clutter.  He is so easily distracted, that highly colorful classrooms, or cluttered rooms, make it difficult for him to focus.  His therapist mentioned that he needs 'predictability'.  She said he would do well with music that has a very heavy, steady bass beat.  Sudden, unexpected noises distract & bother him.  Sometimes music helps to mute the normal noises of life.  

Without knowing more about your son, i.e., his level of functioning, I don't feel able to be of much help.  I am always happy to share what has been helpful to us, but please remember that our son is a high functioning Asbergers kiddo.  And, of course, every child is so very different.   What works for our child, may not work for yours.

Oh, one more thing.  Our son did better at school while reading, if he could sit in a bean bag chair.  Something about snuggling into that chair, and being able to have it surround him (sort of like his air walker/sling) was comforting.  It's almost like all his senses are on high alert/incoming.  But when we overpower his body with lots of touch (such as pressure on his skin through the sling or weighted blanket/vest) he was better able to focus.  I'm sure there is scientific reasons for why it works, but I don't know what it is!  I just know that it helped him.  

Look into Sensory Integration, as that is something that was helpful to me.  And once in school, the TEACHH method is helpful.  

Good-luck to you and your son!